Structural Engineers

Structural engineers are not just required, but absolutely essential, in many buildings projects to ensure that the core structure of the building, and all of its supporting mechanisms, keep the place safe.

The majority of structural engineers are usually employed in the construction industry; however they have other applications in industries like aerospace, ship building and automobiles. The typical structures that a structural engineer might design include buildings, towers, stadia and bridges, however as mentioned, they have uses outside of the construction industry and these other industries use them to help factor in specialised equipment inside either an existing construction or a new one.

What are Structural Engineers?

Structural engineers are well versed in analysing, planning, designing and researching the structural components and systems within a building, identifying and solving any potential problem, with the sole purpose of creating an environment that ensures the safety and comfort of its occupants. Their work and goals in design prioritise the safety, economic and environmental considerations of its future occupants, and also includes both social and aesthetic factors.

When it comes to construct and designing a building, there are a number of codes and standards that are required to be met before the construction even starts, the majority of these standards are typically related to safety, while the rest tend number through various requirements for future parts of the build.

Structural engineers specialise in this kind of work, and are a necessity if you want to construct a large building. Hiring a structural engineer can seem expensive at first, but hiring one can save you a lot of money in the long term as their work can help to reduce any repair and maintenance costs, and identify any potential problems that might arise in the future.

What are the Responsibilities of a Structural Engineer?

Structural Engineers can be responsible for a wide variety of things, all of which depend on the task at hand. They could be responsible for the structural design of a building that is required to resists both lateral and vertical forces while also preventing possible collapse and failure to function. Alternatively, they could be responsible for design the supporting structural elements within a building, including columns and beams, or floor and roofs.

You won’t find a Structural Engineer working on building simple residential houses, as the most they need to do is to simply overview the architect’s plans and flag any potential problems. More often than not though, you will find structural engineer in more involved roles in larger constructions.

Services provided by Structural Engineers

Structural engineers can provide the following services:

Engineering Construction Advice
This often includes formwork designs, construction loading appraisal or certification shoring options, to name a few.

The Reviewal of Existing Structural Designs
This is done to identify any potential savings, either through reducing the construction costs or matching the right builder for the right job.